Like any other essay, the one paragraph essay is made up of an introduction a body and a

conclusion.
(a)

Read the sample one paragraph essay. Identify and write the different parts of
the essay in the spaces provided.

Although I love movies, going to see them drives me slightly crazy. First of all, getting to
the movie can take a lot of time. I have a thirty five minute drive down a congested
highway. Then, with a popular film, I usually have to wait a long line at the ticket booth.
Another problem is that the theatre itself is seldom a pleasant place to be. A musty smell
suggests that there has been no fresh air in the theatre since it was built. Half the seats
seem to be falling apart. And the floor often has a sticky coating that gets on your shoes.
The worst problem of all is some of the other moviegoers. Kids run up and down the aisle.
Teenagers laugh and shout at the screen. People of all ages loudly drop soda cups and
popcorn tubs, cough and burp, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of you
seat. All in all, I would rather stay home and wait for the latest movie hits to appear on TV
in the safety and comfort of my own living room.

I.
II.

III.

(b)
1.

Introduction:
A.
Thesis statement: Going to see movies drives me crazy.
Body:
A.
First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Movie can take a lot of time.
1.
Congested highway
2.
A long line at the ticket booth
B.
Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The theatre is seldom a
pleasant place to be
1.
Musty smell
2.
The seats are falling apart
3.
Sticky coating on floor
C.
Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Other moviegoers
1.
Kids run up and down the aisle
2.
Teenagers laugh and shout at the screen
3.
People of all ages loudly drop soda cups and popcorn tubs, cough
and burp, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of you
seat.
Conclusion
A.
Restate topic: All in all, I would rather stay home and wait for the latest
movie hits to appear on TV

Read and then write a one paragraph essay on ONE of the prompts.
People communicate in many ways. Writing a letter or a computer program, speaking
to friends or fellow workers -- even smiling, shaking hands, bowing or honking an
automobile horn are forms of communication. In your essay, describe an incident that
involved unsuccessful communication. Why was the communication unsuccessful?
What could have been done to make the interchange more successful?

Communication can be unsuccessful if the employer-employee relations are governed

in the form of too much of a dictatorship style. The boss can be a poor communicator
sometimes when he does not listen to subordinates and does not send clear messages. For
example, assume a boss proclaims new and ambitious plans and ignores professional input
from the concerned department. Later, the boss cancels the plans when the project is
already underway and only tells a junior employee who then spreads the rumors. This
ambiguity may frustrate employees and cause confusion in terms of reaching workplace
goals. If the management just gives orders to employees and does not listen to the
questions they might have or pay heed to their input, problems may arise. In addition, if
communication is not established and used as a norm to connect various levels of the
management hierarchy with the employees, then harmful gaps may occur in the
communicational hierarchy and the problems of employees may be left unattended. Also, if
communication is ambiguous or unclear, it can lead to a substantial number of problems. An
example can be a project management environment. If the flow of communication is too
unidirectional, it can lead to a stiff communicational sphere and if misunderstandings are
regarding how a project should unfold or be carried out, then project development or
outcomes can also suffer. Given the range of different communications that businesses have
to make it is not surprising that mistakes are made and that sometimes communication
breaks down. Let us remind ourselves again of some of the possible sources of barriers to
successful communication: Language, Technical content, Lack of understanding of what the
receiver wants or needs, Inadequate feedback, Emotional interference, The degree of
knowledge and expertise of the sender and the receiver, The quality of the information sent,
The use of an inappropriate medium, Lack of trust or honesty in the source, Cultural
differences, and Poor listening skills
Know what you want to say and why.
Understand clearly the purpose and intent of your message. Know to whom you are
communicating and why. Consider any barriers you may encounter such as cultural
differences or situational circumstances (gender, age, or economic biases). Ask yourself
what outcome you want to achieve and the impression you want to leave. Listen.
Communication is a two way street. After you've said what you have to say, stop, listen,
and look for feedback and clues of comprehension. While the person is responding avoid
any impulses to cut them off or listen only for the end of the sentence so that you can blurt
out more ideas or thoughts that come to your mind. Respectfully give them your full
attention. When they are finished, to ensure that your message has been clearly and
correctly understood, ask open questions and encourage discussion. Fine-tune your
message if necessary.

(c) Visit the library and relevant websites and read about the different types of
essay listed in your RI Illustrating, cause and effect, process, comparing and
contrasting and classifying. Then complete your Assignment 1.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Collect 5 different types of essays: Illustrating, Cause and Effect, Process,

Comparing and Contrasting and Classifying from different sources such as the
newspaper, magazines, journals, books, etc.
Review the essays.
Your review should include: the organization of the essay, paragraphs, thesis
statement, topic sentences, supporting details, strengths and weaknesses

When reviewing each essay consider the following questions:

1)
2)
3)
4)

What is the thesis statement or argument of the essay?

What effect does the thesis statement has on you as a reader?
Can you find the topic sentences in the essay? Are there at least three of them?
If there are only two topic sentences, can you think of other elements that should be
included in this essay?
5) Are there sufficient examples, details, explanation, etc., for each topic sentence?
6) Is there a conclusion to the essay? Does it summarise the essay and provide
recommendations and/or suggestions?
7) Do you think this is a good essay? Why do you say so?